Blakely: Methodist Hospital hinges on VA plan

Answering eastern New Orleans residents' plea for a medical facility, recovery czar Ed Blakely said he might be able to provide some money for a local clinic but stressed that the issue will turn on whether the U.S. Veterans' Administration commits to building a new hospital downtown.

Blakely said that if the VA returned to the Central Business District, where its former facility flooded during Hurricane Katrina, the federal agency also would require the use of 100 beds at the former Methodist Hospital site.

The VA would pay to use the space and equipment, Blakely said, and effectively "pay the rent" to cover regular operations, allowing Methodist to begin serving an area that currently does not have a large enough population to support a hospital.

As VA leaders contemplate how to return services to local veterans, Blakely encouraged residents to press federal officials to re-establish their flagship facility downtown.

Blakely pitched the plan during a town hall meeting at Mary Queen of Vietnam Catholic Church. Hosted by City Councilwoman Cynthia Willard-Lewis, the forum also touched on economic development and commercial business prospects.

The Rev. Luke Vien brought up the need for a medical facility. He said the church community, which has worked as a unit to rebuild and repopulate of the area, needs a clinic, particularly to serve elderly residents who must travel to Tulane University Hospital and Clinic.

Vien said 94 percent of the church's members have returned to the area, with Sunday mass packed every week.

Mai Dang, community organizer for Mary Queen of Vietnam Community Development Cooperation, said the non-profit faith-based recovery group identified health case as a primary need after conducing a survey of more than 300 families.

The meeting followed a 4-1/2 mile bike tour of several eastern New Orleans neighborhoods.